[chgolatin2]

Hello all, want to get a gift for my future wife to be.  She loves apple computers but she has ALWAYS had a PC laptop.  She's always using my macbook pro to the point that she no longer uses her PC so I was thinking of getting her a new macbook pro.  I came across Apple's refurb products and yes they are cheaper and carry the same warranty as a new one but you save a few hundreds and sometimes even more.  She want a white macbook but they dont make them anymnore so I have to settle for the newer model ones.  Should I worry about buying a refurb or not?? 

[Æ]

Hello all, want to get a gift for my future wife to be.  She loves apple computers but she has ALWAYS had a PC laptop.  She's always using my macbook pro to the point that she no longer uses her PC so I was thinking of getting her a new macbook pro.  I came across Apple's refurb products and yes they are cheaper and carry the same warranty as a new one but you save a few hundreds and sometimes even more.  She want a white macbook but they dont make them anymnore so I have to settle for the newer model ones.  Should I worry about buying a refurb or not??

The refurb laptop I bought was in perfect condition, just a slightly older model.

[Crimson]

I've bought refurb in the past. No problems. You're limited in specs, but as long as you know what you need it's a cheaper way to purchase.

[Bemopti123]

While I never bought refurbished Macbooks or MBPs for that matter, I did get a refurb Iphone 4 for my wife at 1/2 price.  According to what I have read,  Apple refurbishment standards are extremely high....the only difference is that you might not get the luxury of the original retail package....but I am not too convinced of the Refurbished section offerings that offer computers that have dated technology.....especially when you look at the fact that the smallest MBP 13" can be ordered with an intel I7 core chip...pretty much blowing everything out of the water in terms of processing power.  My take on it is that the discounts that they offer are not competitive in comparison to the dated technology you get.  If you are looking for good deals, discounts, I would look into ordering from Powermax....which sends the laptop FREE and unless you live in Oregon, it offers a tax free break that in itself can be upwards to $120 or more depending how high your sales tax is.  So, a loaded 4 GB i7 core chip MBP came out to be around 1499.....but with the tax incentive and free shipping, it came out to be less.  So, it offsets the puny discounts that Apple gives in their refurb sections.  At least, that is what I calculate.

Paul

[brj]

I've purchased a refurbished Mac Mini and Airport Extreme as gifts.  I'm picky about gear, and I'd never have known they weren't new if I hadn't ordered them myself.

[jparkhur]

I have orded 5 computers, 2 ATV2's and many iPods, never an issue.  The ONLY thing was one of the powerbooks i got had some light swirls in the aluminum on the bottom.  But for and extra 300 dollars off, I did not care.  I did always buy apple care just in case..  I have used it when drives have failed, but i am a heavy driver user at least.  JP

[anodyne]

We bought a refurbished iMac a few years back.   It's performed flawlessly.  You can get the Apple Care warranty too just like on a new Mac product.  I'd have no worries about buying a refurbished unit.

[srb]

My take on it is that the discounts that they offer are not competitive in comparison to the dated technology you get.

I would agree.  If the refurbs are the very latest models and technology then you can save some hundreds.  But most of the offerings are not.
 
Steve

[Crimson]

I'd have to disagree with the tech-to-price argument. Why? You're not buying off of Craigslist or a seller on eBay. Sure, you can find cheaper that way, but you're SOL if you have any issues.

You get what you pay for.

[ratso]

my refurb was as new. 

[chgolatin2]

Cool, thanks for all of the advise~  I have to do some serious thinking  if the technology is going to be "outdated" than probably it's not going to be a good bang for the buck...  So the saying goes "you get what you pay for it completely true"

Thanks! 

[simon wagstaff]

I have always bought refurbs from the Apple store. Never a problem and is about the only way to get a discount on Apple products.

right now you can purchase imac's that came out May 2011, I don't think those are very outdated.